Linkages

History

o The RBD concept was initiated by the Dhamrong Lattapipat Foundation in 1990. This initiative has led to an establishment of the Association of Thai Professionals in America and Canada (ATPAC) in 1991, and followed by the Association of Thai Professionals in Europe (ATPER) and the Association of Thai Professionals in Japan (ATPIJ).

o RBD Office was set up in 1997 at NSTDA working closely with the 3 associations, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC).

o At the beginning, the main mission of RBD was to promote permanent return of overseas Thai professionals (in S&T fields).

o Due to a budget cut in 1997 caused by an economic crisis, RBD’s objective shifted from permanent return to temporary return for S&T projects and technology transfers.

o In 2007, RBD revised its mission and strategy to become a coordinator & matchmaker to promote S&T cooperation under a “Brain Circulation” format.

Mission

To promote brain circulation of Thai professionals overseas and their networks through joint R&D projects, technology transfer and other activities in S&T of relevant national importance.

o Permanent return & Short term visit

o There are 8 permanent returns (with position in government, national centers and universities) since the inception of RBD.o More than 100 short term visits from overseas Thai professionals (during 1997 - 2007). After the funding policy change, there are 23 short term visits and zero permanent returns.

o Biannual Thai Professionals Conferences (TPC) in Thailand

The TPC conference is a forum where Thai professionals overseas have an opportunity to meet with Thai professions in academics, government and private sectors in Thailand. The theme of each conference is selected based on relevance of the local needs and expertise can be matched with those overseas. It is one key activity in our brain circulation (current form of RBD) of knowledge and expertise of Thai professionals overseas and their network of friends. The follow on cooperation can be in a form of research collaboration, technology transfer, or consultation, whichever is most appropriate.

Year 2012

The 3rd Thai Professionals Conference (2012): Disaster Risk Management: Lessons Learned from USA, Japan and Europe was organized during 4-5 July 2012 at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel by RBD, NSTDA, together with MOST and OHEC.

Year 2010

The 2nd Thai Professionals Conference (2010): Green Thailand was organized during 5-6 July 2010 at Miracle Grand Convention Hotel. by RBD, NSTDA, together with MOST, OHEC and The Thailand Research Fund (TRF)

The co-operation Initiative for solving the environment crisis in industrial area of Map Ta Phut

The Map Ta Phut MOU is an initiative and cooperative project under RBD. The project aims to use skill of Thai professionals as well as their networks to tackle the current environmental problem in Thailand.

RBD encouraged various parties as well as foreign funding agency to join the project, especially to use S&T as means to tackle environmental problems while balancing continuous economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Year 2008

The 1st Thai Professionals Conference (2008): S & T for National Development was organized during 2-4 June 2008 at Miracle Grand Convention Hotel. by RBD, NSTDA, together with MOST OHEC and TRF.

Dr. Noppawan Tanpipat, Vice President of NSTDA, was panelist in diasporas discussions for a launch of the “Developing a road map for Engaging Diasporas in Development" handbook. It was organized by IOM (International Organization for Migration) and MPI (Migration Policy Institute) on July 11, 2012 at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand. Dr. Noppawan made positive comment on the handbook. …

The Thai Professional Conference 2012 (TPC 2012) was co-organized by the Reverse Brain Drain Section of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), together with the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC). Dr. Plodprasop Suraswadi, Minister of Science and Technology, opened and delivered a special lecture. The conference provides…